In a groundbreaking development for the Linux gaming community, the Arch Linux team has announced a direct collaboration with Valve, the company behind Steam and the popular Steam Deck handheld gaming device. This partnership is set to bring significant improvements to both Arch Linux and SteamOS, Valve's custom operating system based on Arch.
The Foundation of SteamOS
SteamOS 3, which powers the Steam Deck and Deck OLED handhelds, is built on top of Arch Linux. This choice has been instrumental in creating a robust Linux gaming ecosystem, especially when combined with Valve's Proton compatibility layer, which allows Windows games to run on Linux systems.
Arch Linux's lightweight nature and long-standing development history (dating back to 2002) make it an ideal base for a gaming-focused operating system like SteamOS. Its minimal overhead contributes to better gaming performance, particularly on handheld devices with limited resources.
Valve's Contribution to Arch Linux
Levente Polyak, a primary Arch Linux developer, revealed that Valve is providing backing for two critical projects:
- A build service infrastructure
- A secure signing enclave
This support comes in the form of funding for freelance work, allowing the Arch Linux team to tackle these projects without being constrained by volunteer availability. The collaboration is expected to accelerate progress on long-standing challenges and unlock new possibilities for the distribution.
Benefits for Both Parties
For Arch Linux, this partnership represents an opportunity to enhance the security of the distribution and potentially introduce more structured releases. Currently, Arch Linux operates on a near-continuous update cycle, which may change as a result of this collaboration.
On Valve's side, improvements to Arch Linux could directly benefit SteamOS 3, potentially leading to enhanced gaming performance and new features for Steam Deck users.
A Win for Open Source
This collaboration exemplifies how large corporations can positively influence the open-source community. While not obligated to contribute, Valve's decision to invest in Arch Linux demonstrates a commitment to giving back to the technologies that power their products.
As the partnership progresses, both the Arch Linux and Steam communities eagerly anticipate the improvements and innovations that may arise from this unique collaboration between a volunteer-driven open-source project and a major player in the gaming industry.